partly because

USAGE SUMMARY

"partly because" is a perfectly valid part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you are explaining why something has happened or why someone has come to a certain conclusion. For example: "I decided to stay home, partly because I wasn't feeling well and partly because the weather outside was terrible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Partly because of history.

The Economist

Partly because of physical proximity.

The Economist

Partly because of people's choices.

The Economist

Partly because he's a generalist.

The New York Times

It is partly because they are tired.

The Economist

But partly because I just am.

Independent

Partly because ASBOs have proved unwieldy.

The Economist

That is partly because they are leaderless.

The Economist

That is partly because of corruption.

The Economist

Partly because European governments are economically embattled.

The Economist

Partly because he is a "typical Virgo".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "partly because", ensure that you indicate or imply other contributing factors to provide a complete explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "partly because" as a standalone explanation. Always follow it with other contributing reasons or a clear indication that other factors are at play to avoid incomplete or misleading explanations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "partly because" functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a clause that provides a partial explanation or reason for a statement. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is commonly used in various contexts to indicate one of several causes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "partly because" serves as a crucial tool for offering nuanced explanations, acknowledging that a single cause rarely tells the whole story. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently employed across a wide range of sources, especially in News & Media. When using "partly because", it is beneficial to remember to offer other supporting factors to create a more complete and compelling explanation. By considering related phrases, like "in part due to", you can find the most appropriate expression for different situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in part due to

Highlights that the reason is one of several contributing factors, similar to "partly because".

to some extent because

Emphasizes the limited degree to which the reason is responsible.

partially as a result of

Indicates a partial consequence or outcome, similar to a partial cause.

one reason is that

Introduces a single reason among potentially multiple reasons.

a contributing factor is

Focuses on the role of the reason as a contributing element.

in some measure because

Suggests that the reason has a measurable but not overwhelming impact.

not entirely because

Clarifies that other reasons exist beyond the one mentioned.

among the reasons is that

Signals that the reason is part of a larger set of explanations.

one aspect is that

Points to a specific aspect or element that contributes to the overall reason.

a piece of the puzzle is

Suggests that the reason is one component of a more complex explanation.

FAQs

How do I use "partly because" in a sentence?

"Partly because" introduces one of several reasons for something. For example, "I stayed home, "partly because" I was tired and partly because it was raining."

What can I say instead of "partly because"?

You can use alternatives like "in part due to", "to some extent because", or "a contributing factor is" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "partly because"?

While less common, starting a sentence with "partly because" is acceptable, especially in informal writing. It's often better to connect it to the previous sentence for smoother flow. For example, "The event was delayed. "Partly because" of the weather."

What's the difference between "partly because" and "entirely because"?

"Partly because" indicates one of several reasons, while "entirely because" suggests the reason is the sole cause. Using "entirely because" implies there are no other contributing factors.